SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir, Indian Administrative Service Officers’ Wives Association (IASOWA) organised an awareness programme regarding environmental issues and Single Use Plastic free habitations.

During the event, the Association also organized a plantation drive and interactive session to mark the importance of plastic free environment in tune with the theme (# Beat the Plastic Pollution) of “World Environment Day 2023”. The programme was aimed at to raise awareness about sustainable development and community participation in environmental management and  conservation, particularly need for weeding out single use plastics from our lives.

The event was organised at Srinagar under the supervision of Dr. Amita Mehta, President IASOWA and attended by Dr Tabassum Ganai, Ruchi gupta, Rajni Shailendra, Dr. Mehak Shahid, Anikta Kar, Dr. Sadaf Aijaz and Dr. Irtiza Jeelani.

The participants emphasized the need for public outreach and stakeholder participation in matters related to environmental well being, which is the basis for healthy living. They discussed plastic pollution issues besides deliberating on its impact on our planet.

Dr. Amita Mehta underscored the need of collective efforts to protect our flora and fauna by adopting healthy habits.

#JAMMU: To ensure regular supply of power and drinking water and address any emergent crisis situation in Jammu division, Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar today chaired a high-level meeting with Deputy Commissioners and Chief Engineers of Jammu Power Development Corporation Limited and Jal Shakti Department.

In a move aimed at ensuring accountability, the Div Com directed that each district must have a designated nodal officer from within Jal Shakti Department or JPDCL to act as a single point of contact in case of any irregularity in supply of these essential amenities. He also directed that a control room be set up and the contact number be widely published for the convenience of the public.

The nodal officer would also provide a daily report to the Div Com office regarding any issue pertaining to water or electricity supply and any unusual power curtailment or related issues.

The Div Com directed officials of JPDCL to stick to a well publicised curtailment schedule to ensure that the public doesn’t suffer indefinitely. He also called for coordination between mechanical and civil divisions of the Jal Shakti Department.

The Div Com took stock of available stock replacement and replacement rate of machinery in all districts. He was informed that a scheduled power-cut of 2 hours has been earmarked for urban areas with smart meters installed and 8 hours scheduled cuts for rural areas.

The Div Com was also apprised about the status of pending machinery purchases by the JPDCL. He was assured by engineers that the damage rate of transformers has greatly been reduced and the time taken to replace them has also been reduced to 2 to 4 hours in urban areas and to less than a day for rural areas.

Managing Director JPDCL assured the Div Com that no industries would be made to suffer besides the common public as all their power requirements would be expeditiously met.

The Div Com also directed that dedicated and uninterrupted power be supplied to Government Medical College Udhampur. It was decided during the meeting that water filtration plants would be exempted from scheduled power cuts.

The Div Com has also asked the Managing Director of JPDCL and Chief Engineer to visit District Doda to address its most pressing power-related issues.

The Div Com gave specific instructions to the Jal Shakti Department to rationalise its men and machinery and to give special attention to remote and Kandi areas. The department was also directed to identify and penalise illegal irrigation pumps so that genuine consumers are not faced with difficulties.

The Div Com reviewed the status of water supply tankers of Jammu Municipal Corporation and Jal Shakti Department and emphasised that these services be ensured around the clock for areas facing acute water shortage. He also called for immediate steps to plug water supply leakages within Jammu City.

The district administrations were also directed to make demand for essential supplies like poles, wires etc. and other bare minimum requirements to be fulfilled immediately.

The Div Com made special mention of water supply in Katra and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhavan. He said that water supply must be ensured in these two vital areas of the division.

Those present at the meeting also included senior officers of JPDCL, Power Development Department and Jal Shakti Department besides Deputy Commissioners and other district staff who participated virtually.

#JAMMU8: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, along with G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, and Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State attended the Maha Samprokshanam of Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams at Jammu, today.

After paying their obeisance at the sanctity sanctum, the dignitaries attended the dedication ceremony of Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, spread across over 62 acres of land, to the devotees.

G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism congratulated the people, J&K Government and all the devotees of Sri Venkateswara. The temple at Jammu will carry the message in the world that Kashmir to Kanyakumari, India is one. This will be a centre of spirituality and Sanatan traditions, he said.

It is the result of the devotion and commitment of the Lt Governor of J&K and Chairman and Board members of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams that Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple is completed in a short span. Now, the devotees of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and other prominent religious places can also seek the blessings of Sri Venkateswara Swamy at Jammu, said the Union Minister.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said the inauguration of Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple is a historic moment in the Sanatan Journey of J&K and the country.

“The dedication of Lord Venkateswara temple will strengthen religious tourism circuit in J&K. It will give a boost to spiritual tourism and a major fillip to the economic development and employment opportunities in the Union Territory,” said the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor expressed gratitude to Hon’ble Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism for accelerating development and tourism promotion in J&K.

Hon’ble Union Home Minister, Amit Shah ji was expected to grace today’s occasion with his presence but due to some indispensable work, he couldn’t join us. He has conveyed his best wishes and told me his future event in Jammu will start only after paying obeisance to Sri Venkateswara Swamy, said the Lt Governor.

We are also grateful to the Y.V. Subba Reddy, Chairman, TTD and other Board members for the establishment of Sri Venkateswara’s temple on the land of spirituality and wisdom and to the people of J&K for their cooperation, he said. He also acknowledged the hard work of the workforce engaged in the construction of the temple.

Under the guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji, Jammu Kashmir is witnessing faster economic development and revival of culture in Amrit Kaal. The Union Territory is touching new heights of glory, divinity and development in its eternal journey, observed the Lt Governor.

“The Union Territory of Jammu Kashmir is looking ahead, to a bright future. It is our collective responsibility to contribute to the task of socio-economic growth and to ensure participation and empowerment of the common man,” he said.

The Lt Governor said, along with the unprecedented development, the spiritual aspect of Jammu Kashmir is also scaling new heights.

The holy shrines of Sri Venkateswara, Baba Amarnath, Mata Vaishno Devi, Mata Sharda, Shiv Khori, Adi Shankaracharya Temple, Hazratbal and other prominent religious places and Sufi shrines in the UT will not only boost tourism but also develop Jammu Kashmir as the cultural-spiritual capital of the country, he added.

The Lt Governor lauded Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Kailakh Jyotish & Vedic Sansthan and other organizations for their immense contribution in promoting Vedic culture and traditions.

I am confident Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams will develop a Ved Pathshala and Health Centre on priority, he added.

“Lord Venkateswara maintains this world and he is the very basis of existence. His divine blessings continue to guide the journey of Atam-Nirbhar Bharat and ensuring peace and prosperity in the lives of people,” the Lt Governor said.

Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State, while speaking on the occasion, said the historic day will script a new milestone in the development journey of J&K UT.

This Vikas Tirth is a celebration of India’s unity in diversity and also signifies Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji’s vision of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, he added.

Y.V. Subba Reddy, Chairman, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Trust Board expressed gratitude to the Government of India and the Lt Governor led UT Government for their support and cooperation. I pray to Lord Venkateswara to bless the people of Jammu Kashmir with love, peace and prosperity.

Bharat Bhushan, Chairman DDC Jammu; Jugal Kishore Sharma, Member Parliament; Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to Lt Governor; Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; TTD board members, senior officials of Police and Civil administration, religious heads, political leaders and devotees in large numbers attended the historic inaugural ceremony.

#SRINAGAR: Civil Services qualifiers Waseem Ahmad Bhat and Manan Bhat called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, today.

The Lt Governor congratulated and extended his best wishes to them. The Lt Governor said that their achievement will inspire other youngsters from UT of J&K.

He called upon them to be committed and confident, as they will form the backbone of the public administration in the future.